What's Really at Stake for the Brooklyn Nets?

 

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I recently appeared on the Robin Lundberg show on ESPN Radio New York (98.7 FM) as his “Fanalyst” and debated with him the relevancy of the Brooklyn Nets franchise.

The Robin Lundberg Show    (about 43 minutes in)

My main argument to him was that the New York media as a whole has not given the Nets the respect that they deserve. All attention has been paid to the arrival of Phil Jackson, his drama with owner James Dolan, and the speculation as to whether Carmelo Anthony will remain with the New York Knicks’ organization. Coverage of the Nets has seemed like a mere blurb in comparison. I get that this is predominately a “Knick-town” and these are juicy items to discuss, but should the bulk of radio shows’ content be dedicated to a dysfunctional franchise that is currently not playing meaningful basketball?

On the other hand, we have an organization that currently features two future Hall of Fame players in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce as well as All-Star talents in Joe Johnson and Deron Williams. When asked, Lundberg agreed that if the Knicks were in the current situation as the Nets (with the same players) there would be significant buzz dominating the airwaves throughout the city.

Lundberg’s final opinion on the situation was that the relevancy and interest in the Brooklyn Nets is still growing. This is still just the first round, and what will help them most will be a second round matchup with the Miami Heat. If they were to make noise or even pull off the upset in that series, the growing process, both nationally and (more important) locally, would be accelerated.

Well, with the chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Toronto Raptors, the Nets let their fan base down. Despite falling behind by as many as 17 points in the first half, the Nets clawed their way out of the massive hole to find themselves with the lead during the early moments of the third quarter. With the Raptors clearly rattled and unable to execute their offense, the Nets were in prime position to stretch their lead and deliver the knockout blow.

During the same time that Toronto missed their first seven field goal attempts and 14 of 15, Brooklyn saw their fundamental skills abandon them. The Nets shot an unacceptable six of twelve from the free throw line, which made me wonder if Mr. Whammy was secretly working for the enemy. They also committed six turnovers during the quarter.

Although the game was tied entering the fourth quarter, things just didn’t feel right. As we know, basketball is a game of runs and a team can quickly recapture their shooting touch. As the Raptors were unraveling during the third frame, the largest deficit they faced was five points. Failure to build upon that two-possession lead came back to haunt them as it allowed Toronto to hang around until they regained their composure. It was a golden opportunity for the Nets and they squandered it.

Now it is a best of three series with Toronto having the home court edge. The Nets have already proven in this series that they can go into the Air Canada Centre and come out victorious, but it won’t be an easy feat from here on out. Credit the Toronto fans for creating one of the most hostile environments for visiting teams. With thousands of people intensely cheering inside and outside of the arena makes it feel as if an entire nation is behind them, like what was depicted in Rocky IV.

With the Raptors evening up the series, I would expect the fans to be even more rabid than usual now that their team will host two of the next three games, if necessary, with the opportunity of advancing to the next round. The Nets have created this situation for themselves and will now have to show whether they have the intestinal fortitude to survive and advance.

Some fans are holding onto the hope that experience will prevail over youth and athleticism. It took a game but the Raptors have seemed to overcome their playoff jitters. Although there is championship experience on this Nets’ roster, there is also talent whose post-season experiences have resulted in underachievement and disappointment.

I know Pierce and Garnett will be ready for the challenge and expect Johnson to be cool under the pressure, but as usual the fate of the Nets hinges upon the performance of Williams. A first round exit for these Brooklyn Nets would be devastating to a fan base that was expecting a deep playoff run following all of the positivity once the calendar flipped to 2014.

The time is now for the Nets to seize the moment. Lundberg was right when he said that Nets have the arena and the uniforms, now they need the basketball team. If they ever want to take over this city, it starts in these playoffs. After letting down the borough last year on their home court against the Chicago Bulls, the Nets have a chance to make good on their slogan “For Brooklyn”.

A lot will be at stake for the Nets over these next few days. If they desire to one day be equals with their Manhattan rivals, then they can’t come up short once again.

In life, you only one chance to make a first impression and consecutive postseason failures may just be too damaging to their Brooklyn brand.

They may never get this opportunity again.

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